WEEK 2:CITIZENSHIP

  TOPIC:  CITIZENSHIP

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: By the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

1. Define citizenship
2. Enumerate the types of citizenship
3. Mention four conditions to be satisfied by those seeking Nigerian citizenship by registration and naturalization.                         

MEANING OF CITIZENSHIP

Citizenship can be defined as recognition by a country of those members, who have been accepted as its members or citizens. It refers to the status of being a citizen, especially of a particular country with all the rights. In this respect, a person can be said to have Nigerian citizenship in which case, he is a Nigerian citizen.

TYPES OF CITIZENSHIP

1. Citizenship by birth
2. Citizenship by registration
3. Citizenship by naturalization
4. Citizenship by Conferment

Citizenship by birth:

A person is a citizen by birth if either of his parents, mother or father is a citizen of a country. It does not matter whether he is currently living in the country or residing outside. The parents are expected to register the birth with the National Population Commission. Also, in some countries, children born thereof are granted citizenship even when the parents are not citizens.

Citizenship by registration:

A non-Nigerian can be a citizen of Nigeria by registration. This applies to three different groups of persons.

1. A foreign woman married to a Nigerian citizen, who willingly applies for registration  as citizen of Nigeria
2. A person above 18 years of age, born outside Nigeria by Nigerian parents or grandparents but has never  been  to Nigeria
3. A child who is not a Nigerian but has been adopted by a Nigerian.

The process is done through an application to the Nigerian President through the immigration office. The president, through his delegate, has to be satisfied that the applicant is up to 18 years, and of good character, mentally sound and has contributed to the development of Nigerian in his chosen field. He will then be registered through this process, the applicant becomes a citizen of Nigeria by registration.

Citizenship by Naturalisation:

Naturalization is the process by which a non-citizen gets or acquires the citizenship of that/the country where he is residing. For instance, in Nigeria, this concerns foreigners who have lived up to fifteen years with genuine interest in the affairs of Nigeria and ability to meeting certain conditions contained in the constitution:

1. He is  18 years of age or above
2. He is capable of making useful contribution to the advancement, progress and well-being of Nigeria
3. He is of good character
4. He pays his taxes regularly as and when due

After granting the application of citizenship, the applicant will be required to take an oath of loyalty to the federal Republic of Nigerian. This is called the “ OATH OF ALLEGIANCE”

CITIZENSHIP BY CONFERMENT

This is a situation where an individual is conferred country with citizenship of another country as an honour. This is made possible if the individual has distinguished himself in a particular area. Example, Mariam Makeba was conferred with the citizenship of countries like Guinea, Tanzania and Liberia because of her outstanding music achievement.

PROCESS OF BECOMIN A CITIZEN OF A COUNTRY

A person can become a citizen of a country by birth, registration, naturalization and conferment. Citizenship by birth is automatic. The process for citizenship through registration and naturalization starts with application to the President of Nigeria through immigration services. The person must satisfy the following stipulated conditions in the constitution of Nigeria:

1. The person must be minimum of 18 years of age.
2. He must have good character with no criminal record
3. He must have lived in the country for a minimum of 15 years
4. He must take an oath of allegiance
5. He must pay his tax regularly
6. He must be prepared to contribute positively to the development of the country.
7. He show interest to reside in the country

EVALUATION: The teacher evaluates his lesson with the following questions:

1. Define citizenship
2. Enumerate the types of citizenship
3. iii Mention four conditions to be satisfied by those seeking Nigerian  citizenship by registration and naturalization.